Cigarette-making device



July 11, 1944. F. J. JUREK 1 3,

I CIGARETTE MAKING DEVICE Filed Feb. 20, 1942 1 Fig.1. 1 24 42313540 14u 58641611 16 I 146-1 ,1,0, INVENTOR if; Frgnkwumk, 90 91 MM+CBATTORNEYS Patented July 11, 1944 OFFICE CIGARETTE-MAKING DEVICE Frank J.Jurek, Buffalo, N. Y. Application February 20, 1942, Serial No. 431,6717 Claims. (Cl. 13158) This invention relates to a device for makingcigarettes and particularly to a compact device especially suited to themanufacture of cigarettes by the consumer,

Various devices have heretofore been proposed for making cigarettes on asmall scale by the ultimate consumer of the cigarettes but these deviceshave not in general met with commercial success. Their construction hasin general been rather complex and in many cases has involved the use offabric or other flexible parts subject to failure in use.

The device of my invention is entirely of metal or like relatively rigidmaterial. Its construction is rugged and the device will ordinarily besubstantially indestructible in normal use. The arrangement and designof devices manufactured in pursuance to the principles of my inventionare such as to greatly facilitate manufacture on a mass productionbasis.

The cigarette making device of my invention has the marked advantage ofbeing compact in the extreme and may readily be carried in a userspocket or in a handbag. The device of my invention may be manipulated inthe hands of a user with extreme facility and since it is not requiredthat the device be placed upon a table or like supporting surface foruse, it may be used wherever the user may find himself when he desiresto manufacture one or more cigarette-s.

While a single complete and specific embodiment is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing and described in the ensuing specification, it isto be understood that the principles of my invention are not limitedthereto or otherwise than as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view taken in avertical plane and On a somewhat enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken approximately on thebroken line III-I11 of 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view taken approximately on theline IV-IV of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed transverse cross sectional view through a pair ofclamping elements of the device.

Throughout the several figures of the drawing like characters ofreference denote like parts and the numeral ||l designates generally aprincipal body member of the device which in the form illustratedcomprises a receptacle having an elongate semi-circular bottom wallportion l, a

substantially vertical side wall portions 2 and I3, terminating upwardlyin flaring wall portions l4 and I5 respectively.

The left-hand end of the device, as viewed in Figs, 1 and 2, is normallyclosed by a plug-like element l6 which is provided with a dependingpivot lug IT. For pivotally supporting the plug It, a pair of bracketmembers l8 and I9 are secured against the outside of the lower portionof the receptacle l 0 and have spaced depending lugs 20 and 2|,respectively, for receiving therebetween the pivot lug ll of the plugI6. Pivotal attachment of the plug l6 may be effected in any convenientmanner as by means of the pivot screw 22. The plug l6 seats within theleft-hand end of the receptacle I0 and serves to close the lower portionthereof when the plug is in the position illustrated. The plug-likemember I6 is further provided with a pair of upwardly diverging arms 24and 25 which embrace the flaring upper terminal portions l4 and 5 of thecontainer walls when the plug is in the closed position illustrated.Pivotal opening movement of the pluglike element I6 is delimited by theprojection 21 formed on the lug H, which engages the bottom of thecontainer l0 when the plug is pivoted to open position.

Rotatable cigarette forming means are journaled in the plug-like elementl6 and comprise a shaft element which has bearing in the plug l6 and isscrew-threaded into a cylindrical element 3| which is disposed withinthe receptacle Ill and adapted to rotate therein with its peripheralportions substantially in contact with the semi-circular wall portionthereof. A suitable manipulating handle portion 32 may be secured to theouter projecting end of the shaft element 30 as by means of a pin 33 orin any other suitable manner. The handle element 32 may be serrated, asshown in Fig, 1, or knurled, or otherwise provided with a convenientgripping surface.

The cylinder 3| carries a pair of elongate clamping elements designated35 and 36 in the drawing. Both of the clamping elements extend to theright of the cylindrical element 3| substantially the full length of theinterior of the container. The inner clamping element 36 is securedrigidly to the cylindrical element by virtueof a fastening pin 38engaging in a transverse flange 39 formed at the end of the clampingelement 35. The cylindrical element 3| is preferably recessed to receivethe end of flange 39 of the clamping element 36 and the peripheralportion of the cylindrical element 3| is grooved as at 40 to receiveboth of the clamping elements.

The outer clamping element 35 has an offset at the end thereof as shownat 42 in Fig. 1. This offset 42 terminates in an end flange 43 which ispivoted to the end wall of the cylindrical element 3| as at 44. Theoffset pivoting of the outer clamping element 35 provides for slightopening movement of the outer clamp with respect to the inner clamp bylimited pivoting about the pin 44. A compression spring 45 provided in arecess in the cylindrical element 3| acts against the offset flange 42of the outer clamp 45 and tends to bias the outer clamp to an openposition. Opening movement of the outer clamp 35 is limited to a verysmall amount by engagement of the eccentric curving edge 47 of the. endflang 43 against the edge of a recess in which it seats at the end ofthe cylindrical element 31. Rotation of the cylinder 3! in acounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, causes the clamp 35 toclose against the clamp 35 by engagement of the former against thesemi-circular wall of the receptacle II].

It will appear from the foregoing thatthe assembly comprising the twoclamping elements 35 and 35, the cylindrical element 3|, the mountingshaft 35, and the handle element32 may be rotated in the plug i6 withtheresult that the clamping elements 35 and 36 will revolve in a pathconcentric with the semi-circular inner wall of the receptacle andclosely adjacent thereto. The entire rotatable assembly may likewise bepivoted about the screw 22 to move the clamping elements to a positionsubstantially outside of the confining lower portion of the receptaclell], subject to restrictions against unintentional pivoting movementwhich willpresently appear.

At its right-hand end the receptacle H1 is provided with a plug-likeelement 551 which is provided-with an inwardly projecting portion 5|whose lower surface is curved to correspond to the inner surface of thelower semicir-cular wall portion 55 and whose upper surface issubstantially fiat and extends across the interior of the receptacle tilat about the juncture of the straight wall portions 12 and i3 with theflaring wall portions ill and E5. The plug 50 is further provided with apair of side lugs 53 and 55 and a bottom lug 55 which extend adjacentthe outer surface of the receptacle Hi and are secured firmly thereto byscrews 55 which pass through the respective lugs 53, 55 and 55 and thewalls of the receptacle i5 and have threaded engagement with the portion5i of the plug 50 which is disposed within the receptacle H1.

The plug 50 provides bearing engagement for a shaft 5'! which terminatesjust inside of the portion 5! of the plug 55 in a cylindricalenlargement 53 which is of substantially the same diameter as thecylindrical element 3! at the other end of the device. The opposed innerfaces of the cylindrical element 3i and. the cylindrical enlargement 58define the length of the cigarette manufactured by the device in amanner which will presently appear.

The peripheral surface of the cylindrical enlargement 58 is grooved, asat 50, to receive the outer or, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, therighthand ends of the clamping elements 35 and 36. By reason of thisengagement, the cylindrical enlargement 58 and the shaft 51 normallyrotate with the rotatable assembly comprising the cylindrical element3i, the shaft 30, and the handle 32. The projecting end of the shaft 51is provided with a manipulating handle portion 6| as in the case of theshaft 36 at the other end of the receptacle.

The portion 5! of the plug 50 which extends within the receptacle hasinward extensions 64 and 85 which project at the left from the portion5!, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and overlie the cylindrical enlargement58. The projections 64 and 65 have their lower surfaces of arcuate formto provide a continuation of the semi-circular interior wall of thereceptacle ill and thereby substantially close the circular confinementabout the enlargement 58 excepting just in the region of the groove 60.It will thus be seen that the clamping elements 35 and 33 cannot beremoved from the groove 60 by pivotal movement about the pivot pin 22excepting when the clamping elements 35 and 35 are substantially at topdead center.

When the clamping elements 35 and 3'6 are in a top dead center position,their removal from the'groove 65 is normally prevented by a projectingnose portion ll] of a latch H which is received in a groove in the uppersurface of the plug 55 for slidingmovement axially of the device. Thelatch H is held against movement from the groove in the plug 50 by aflat plate 12 which is secured against the top surface of the plug 50.A'manipulating handle projection M is formed at the outer end of thelatch bar H. A spring housing comprising a, central casing portion .15and-opposite base flanges i5 is disposed against theplate i2, and boththe plate 12 and the spring housing may be jointly secured to the plug50 by screws l7.

The latch H is normally urged to latching position through a spring pin39 which is fixedly carried by the latch "H and extends upwardly,through an elongate slot in theretaining-plate F2, into the interior ofthe casing portion 15 of the spring housing, where it engages one end ofa compression spring 8| whose other end may bear against a rear wall ofthe casing portion 15.

With the parts in the position illustrated in the drawing, a cigarettepaper or other wrapper is disposed so that one of its longitudinal edgesis between the clamp elements 35 and 3B. The proper lengthwise positionof the wrapper may be ascertained by sighting through an opening 82formed in the outer clamping element 35. Rotation of either of thehandles 32 or 6| to cause counter-clockwise rotation, as viewed in Figs.3 and 4:, will cause the clamp bars to close upon the cigarette paperand firmly engage the same by means of protuberances 95 formed on theouter clamping element 35 and registering recesses 9! formed in theadjacent surface of the inner clamping element 35.

After the entire assembly with theengaged cigarette paper or wrapper hasbeen rotated in a counter-clockwise direction through an angle ofapproximately 300 from the position illustrated in the drawing, thepaper will be disposed in the receptacle W in a manner to conform withthe semi-circular inner surface of the lower portion H thereof andtobacco may conveniently be poured into the receiving wrapper so formed.The wrapper may then be wet at its projecting trailing edge and may bemanually wrapped across the outside of the outer clamp element 35 toadhesively engage the outer surface of the leading edge of the wrapperor paper. Alternatively, the device may be given an added rotation inthe neighborhood of after filling the wrapper and prior to scaling thesame. In this way a better formation may be given to the rolledcigarette and more convenient access to the wrapper for sealing the sameis afforded. If the latter procedure is pursued, a further revolution ofthe clamp bars in the same direction will be effected after sealing ofthe wrapper until the clamp bars reach a top dead center position. Inany event this is the final position for efiecting removal of thewrapped cigarette.

At this point the latch i! may be moved outwardly by manipulation-of theprojecting portion 14 to remove the nose'm thereof from latchingengagement with respect to the clamping elements 35 and 36.' At thistime pivotal movement of the plug I6 carrying the cylindrical element 3|and the clamp bars 35 and 36 will move the free ends of the clampingbars 35 and 36 clear of the latching instrumentalities and permitwithdrawal of the cigarette from engagement with the clamping bars 35and 36 in a lengthwise direction with respect to the clamping elements.

What is claimed is:

1. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container open at itsupper side, a pair of relatively thin elongate clamp bars disposedlengthwise of said container and adapted to lie fiatwise against eachother in clamping position, resilient means urging said clamp bars toseparated position to dispose the marginal portion of a cigarettewrapper therebetween, said clamp bars being disposed for jointrevolution in said container with their thin dimensions extendingradially with respect to the circle of revolution and the outer clamplement in engagement with the container for retaining the clamp bars inclamping engagement, whereby a wrapper engaged by said clamp bars may bedrawn into said container and rolled into circular form, said clamp barsbeing movable jointly outwardly of said container at one end whereby acompleted.

cigarette may be withdrawn from encircling relation with respect to theclamp bars.

2. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container open at itsupper side, relatively thin elongate clamp means disposed lengthwise ofsaid container and adapted to engage the marginal portion of a cigarettewrapper, said clamp means being disposed for revolution in saidcontainer with its thin dimension extending radially with respect to thecircle of revolution, whereby a wrapper engaged by said clamp means maybe drawn into said container and rolled into circular form, said clampmeans being pivoted to said container at one end whereby the oppositeend is movable outwardly of said container to withdraw a completedcigarette from encircling relation with respect to the clamp bars, andreleasable latch means at said opposite end for preventing outwardmovement of said clamp means during the cigarette rolling operation.

3. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container open at itsupper side and having its bottom wall of substantially semicirculartransverse cross section, relatively thin elongate clamp means disposedlengthwise of said container and adapted to engage the marginal portionof a cigarette wrapper, means engageable with said clamp means atopposite ends thereof and journaled in the ends of said elongatecontainer, said last mentioned means having manipulating portionsextending from the ends of said container to dispose said clamp meansfor manual revolution by either end thereof in said container with itsthin dimensions extending radially with respect to the circle ofrevolution, said circle of revolution being concentric with said bottomwall and disposed closely adjacent thereto, whereby a wrapper engaged bysaid clamp means may be drawn into said container and rolled intocircular form, said clamp means being movable outwardly of saidcontainer whereby a. completed cigarette may be withdrawn fromencircling relation with respect to the clamp means.

4. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container whose bottomwall is substantially semi-circular in transverse cross section, a pairof clamp bars disposed lengthwise of said container and separable todispose the marginal portion of a cigarette wrapper therebetween, saidclamp bars being disposed for revolution about an axis substantiallycoincident with the axis of said semi-circular wall within saidcontainer to draw said wrapper into said container and roll the sameinto circular form, said clamp bars being pivoted to said container atone end whereby the opposite ends of said clamp bars may be movedpivotally outwardly of said container for removal of a formed cigaretteand means for confining said opposite ends of said clamp bars duringsaid axial revolution but releasable to allow said pivotal movement.

5. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container whose bottomwall is substantially semi-circular in transverse cross section, a pairof clamp bars disposed for revolution about an axis substantiallycoincident with the axis of said semi-circular wall within saidcontainer, said clamp bars being separable to dispose the marginalportion of a cigarette wrapper therebetween to be clamped thereby, saidclamp bars being pivoted to said container at one end whereby theopposite ends of said clamp bars may be moved pivotally outwardly ofsaid container for removal of a formed cigarette and means for holdingsaid opposite ends against separation during said axial revolution ofsaid clamp bars.

6. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container whose bottomwall is substantially semi-circular in transverse cross section, a pairof clamp bars disposed for'revolution about an axis substantiallycoincident with the axis of said semi-circular wall within saidcontainer, said clamp bars being separable to dispose the marginalportion of a cigarette wrapper therebetween to be clamped thereby, saidclamp bars being pivoted to said container at one end whereby theopposite ends of said clamp bars may be moved pivotally outwardly ofsaid container for removal of a formed cigarette, and releasable latchmeans at said opposite end for preventing outward movement of said clampmeans during the cigarette rolling operation.

'7. Cigarette making means comprising an elongate container, a pair ofclamp bars extending lengthwise of said container, means mounting saidbars at both ends for revolution about an axis lengthwise of saidcontainer, said means comprising a rotatable plug adjacent each end ofsaid bars, said bars being pivotally mounted by one of said plugs andreleasably retained by the other of said plugs whereby, a cigarettewrapper may be placed with an end thereof between said bars, rotated byeither of said plugs to form an arcuate tobacco receiving trough, filledwith tobacco, and rotated until its edges overlap, sealed, released atone end, pivoted outwardly of the container at the other end, and thecompleted cigarette removed from said bars by a longitudinal slidingmovement in a direction away from said pivotal mounting.

FRANK J. JUREK.

